The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management completes final environmental review for Maryland’s first offshore wind project, with the potential to power 770,000 homes.
For Immediate Release: July 29, 2024
Media Contact: Luke Jeanfreau | [email protected] | 504-302-8079
BALTIMORE — The Oceantic Network, the leading organization working to advance offshore wind and other ocean renewable industries and their supply chains, congratulates member company US Wind for achieving final environmental approval for its Maryland offshore wind project. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) released a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) authorizing construction of up to 114 turbines totaling a 2,200 MW capacity, enough to power 770,000 homes with offshore wind energy. US Wind has been awarded offtake agreements with the state of Maryland and this fall will re-engage the state’s public utility board to restructure those agreements. As part of its proposed project, US Wind advanced plans to build an offshore wind turbine foundation facility in Baltimore Harbor, which, when fully operational, would employ up to 530 people including hundreds of unionized steelworkers.
Today’s action by BOEM marks the tenth environmental review completed by the agency under the Biden-Harris Administration. Once US Wind’s project receives final approval to begin construction in the next few weeks, the pipeline of approved projects will exceed 15 GW. Currently, more than 5 GW of projects are under installation and 300+ MW are operational.
The following statement can be attributed to Liz Burdock, president and CEO at Oceantic Network:
“Maryland has long seen offshore wind power as a key part of its energy and economic future, investing in a local offshore wind supply chain and the development of robust clean energy targets that have been driving the industry forward since its early stages. Today, the state has a commercial scale project nearing full construction approval and is poised to become a regional hub for offshore wind manufacturing and steel fabrication. Along with US Wind’s direct investment in Sparrows Point Steel, this offshore wind project will contribute to new, well-paying jobs across Maryland and throughout the supply chain. While more projects are needed to meet Maryland’s offshore wind energy targets, today’s action is an important step forward to deliberately advance another commercial scale offshore wind project. Oceantic Network congratulates US Wind and thanks BOEM for its consistent efforts to advance offshore wind energy in our home state.”
Additional Information:
For more information or to arrange an interview with the Network, contact Luke Jeanfreau at [email protected] or 504-302-8079.
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As a non-profit organization, the Oceantic Network’s driving purpose is to inform, coordinate, and mobilize human ingenuity, enterprise, and labor to take advantage of the urgent need to tap the vast offshore wind and renewable energy resources that lie in the world’s oceans. The collective, coordinated efforts of our 600+ members equip communities and nations to accelerate the transition to clean energy and create economic opportunities.
